National Wreaths Across America Day observed in Dalton

Published 12:02 am Tuesday, February 18, 2020

On Dec. 14, 2019, 300 wreaths were placed in remembrance and in honor of the veterans interred at West Hill Cemetery. Wreaths Across America is a coordinated program to honor veterans across the nation. Communities unite in time and intent in a moment of silence to remember the fallen, the prisoners of war, the missing in action and honor those who have served and are serving in this great nation’s armed forces. West Hill Cemetery is the site selected in Dalton, but there are 1,200 sites across the nation. The Wreaths Across America program promotes the idea of “Remember, Honor and Teach.”

The presentation of the wreaths honored each branch of military service: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and the 93,129 servicemen whose last known status was either Prisoner of War or Missing in Action. The Dalton High School JROTC unit, under the command of First Sgt. Eugene Jackson, presented the colors. Don Rich, leader of the American Legions Honor Guard, led the Pledge of Allegiance. The American Legion Honor Guard presented a three-volley salute and “Taps.”

On Sunday, Jan. 19, community members once again gathered to remove the faded wreaths from the veterans’ graves.

The coordinators for Wreaths Across America at West Hill Cemetery are Melissa Burchfield and Martha Locke of the genealogy society, Private Drewry R. Smith. Special thanks are extended to Terrell Stallings, West Hill Cemetery sexton; Jackson and the Dalton High JROTC; and Rich and the American Legion Honor Guard.